Rapport inzake vrij verkeer EU-burgers aangenomen

21 januari 2003
Joke swiebel

Vandaag is het rapport inzake de vrijheid van verkeer voor burgers van de EU en hun familieleden aangenomen in de Commissie vrijheden en rechten van de burger, justitie en binnenlandse zaken. Dit voorstel is van belang voor alle burgers van de Unie die naar een andere lidstaat in de EU willen verhuizen om daar te wonen en/of te werken. Samen met enkele collega's van verschillende partijen heb ik amendementen ingediend die regelen dat iedereen, ongeacht welke relatievorm een persoon verkiest, zijn of haar partner en kinderen uit die relatie kan meenemen naar een ander EU-land. Hieronder treft u het Engelstalig persbericht aan welk ik na de stemming heb uitgebracht. Zodra het aangenomen rapport beschikbaar is, kunt u het op de website van Joke Swiebel (www.jokeswiebel.nl) vinden.

The Intergroup on Gay and Lesbian Rights of the European Parliament Chair Joke Swiebel MEP (jswiebel@europarl.eu.int)

Brussels, January 21st 2003,

Press release

Today the Committee on Citizens' Freedoms and Rights, Justice and Home Affairs
of the European Parliament (LIBE) adopted a broader concept of family in its vote on the free movement of EU citizens and their families, the Santini report (PPE).
This concept contains:
A the spouse, also including spouses of the same sex B the registered partner, also including partners of the same sex C the de facto partner in a durable relationship.

The amendments, tabled by Kathalijne Buitenweg (Greens), Marco Cappato (Radicals), Michael Cashmen (PES), Baroness Sarah Ludford (ELDR), Ole Sørensen (ELDR), Joke Swiebel (PES), Maurizio Turco (Radicals), received the support of the members of the PES, ELDR, Greens, GUE and the Italian Radicals. This ad hoc coalition was the result of discussions in the Intergroup on Gay and Lesbians rights.

The solution, which was supported today, will solve practical problems for all those who wish to use their right of free movement throughout the Union. The diversity of family relationships that exist in today's society be it marriage, registered partnerships or unmarried partnerships must be recognised and respected. Based on equality and fair treatment the fundamental right to family life should not be made dependant on individuals choosing to enter into marriage. This is not only an issue for couples of the same sex, but also many opposite sex partners prefer partnership to marriage.
"The adaptation of the concept of family to the developments in society is important to a majority of the Member States, that have adopted registered partnerships systems or even opened up civil marriage for same sex partners: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Portugal, Sweden, The Netherlands." says Joke Swiebel. The plenary will vote next month it's first reading. The draft directive is subject to co-decision, so the Parliament has a decisive role in this legislation.